David Calkins bought the arena for Robogames for $250,000 but it cost double that to make. It was built for a college project but was never used. Did not ask where he got the money from....
Trev
This won't happen, quite a few people won't fight tiberious because of expencive damage, and he can't smash the absulute snot out of other robots like a spinner :shock:
After a few got wrecked no one would want to risk the damage.
Whynot build an area that just supports FW spinners and HW robots with smallish discs (X-Terminator for example). I understand not having robots like Typhoon or Hypno-Disc ripping up the place, but I can't really see a FW robot tearing the arena apart single-handedly.
Silent Night - I love your idea that X-Terminator is a 'small' disk and I think highlights just the problem that approach comes with, how do you define 'small' and 'safe'.
Also on the US comparison, different business model in the US, not worth comparing like with like
Rather than trying to break the fag-packet maths down into square meters, if you do the maths using the actual panels you'd be buying (12mm for the sides and roof as an example)
Also the other thing you need to take into account is the weight of all that polycarb, each sheet of 12mm 2.4m x 1.2m weighs 45Kg with fixings.
Assuming
20 panels for two sides = 900Kg
18 panels for two ends = 810Kg
50 panels for the roof = 2250Kg
Total - 3960Kg
So your next huge cost is funding a support mechanism that can fly almost 4 tonnes (before you add any lighting or sound) of polycarbonate off the ground.
Do not under-estimate the size of the undertaking in trying to build something like this
So basically we need a college with little else to do, to make one and then for a rich roboteer to buy it at half the price?
I don't see what the issue is................
What about taking a room in a building and fitting windows into it for the drivers to look in through. The walls are concrete and you can reinforce the roof.
So that people can watch you get 5/6 cameras in the room [The new Go Pro Hero 3 for example] and then stream it to say Robots Live or to TV screens in the next room.
I know that half the fun is seeing the robots for real but it might open it up to a larger internet audience and from that you get more people attending the live events.
Yes it fraught with issues but lets get all the ideas out there...
There is another way. I am planning to build a class 1 arena but it won't be mobile it will be static cutting away all logistics. I planned to get this arena up and running for 2013 sponsored by my boss. He also has plans for a 10 lane 10 pin bowling alley which will be built on the same floor. Once that is up and running in 2013 we will then readdress the arena. Plans are to purchase a dodgem track and convert that into a class 1 arena. Yes my boss does have the money and yes he does have the room. Hopefully he will be attending robots live at whitick to check it out. He does have his worries....would robots turn up to full on events. Would he get his investment money back. Hopefully at whitick he will see how popular robot still is.
I believe a full combat class 1 arena would scare off a few roboteers but on the flip side I believe we would see a new generation of robots. It could hold the uk champs...European or even the world champs.
I have been here before and failed. I am trying again and if this one fails I am sure I will try again. At the moment I have high hopes of pulling it off. I know as soon as my boss sees an event he will step it up a gear. So fingers crossed one day I will have an announcement to make good and proper.
Shane builds a class 1 hw arena about once a year, normally towards the start of april
Lol. Dave I would normally agree with you but if you ask a few people you will know the project is a serious one.
be cool if you get it done mate, should charge people a fee for the day to turn up and play, or pay for a fight etc... id be up for it.
what sort of location would it be?
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